[ccmba]

Hi Guys,

I've been going through the forums, and this place is absolutely great. Lots of useful stuff for prospective B-School applicants. Forums are a great place to interact, learn about the application process, and have your queries/concerns addressed.

One thing though that I thought may be lacking on the MBA abroad threads is a perspective from someone who has recently been though the process. When I applied, what helped me the most was the guidance of a top b-school graduate who mentored me through several key steps such as college selection, resume building and essay preparation. So, if you all are interested, I would love to provide feedback on any issue related to doing an MBA abroad - whether its assessing your profile, brainstorming through an essay, or even addressing small concerns.

Just a brief history about myself - I was admitted into Harvard Business School last year, where I have deferred admission till 2011. I am working on my own start-up in Delhi right now. Previously, I had graduated from The Doon School in India, and then went to study at Amherst College, the top liberal arts college in the states. I spent a year studying the PPE program at Oxford University. I then decided to go to business school and took the GMAT (770).

I realized during the MBA admission process, that writing applications was an art that did not come naturally - no matter how skilled or deserving you think you are, it is your application that ultimately speaks for you. In order to then make your applications outstanding, you need to put in a lot of committed effort. As tough as it sounds, if you do it right, you will succeed.

If any of you have queries, or want assistance with any part of your application, reply to this thread and I will do my best to get back to you as soon as possible.

Good Luck,
Umang

[Shreya Dalvi]

Hi Umang,

I am currently a final year student at LSR pursuing economics honours. I am only looking at Harvard right now because its one of d only top business schools which admits some final year undergrad students in their MBA program. I personally do not think that I am ready for pursuing MBA right after undergrad but I am applying right now with the intention of getting a deferred admission. The deferred admission will allow me to gain some experience in the financial sector before MBA and access to career services of HBS.

My profile is as follows:

1) GMAT - 760
2) Undergrad - 71%(1st 2 yrs)
3) 12th - 93
4) 10th - 89
5) Excellent ECA
6) 5 week internship at CNBC
7) NCFM & AMFI qualified

Another point I am apprehensive about is that I do not have any international exposure or the kind of opportunities available to undergrads in other countries. Please let me know if you have any opinion regarding the same.

[Shreya Dalvi]

Hi Umang,

I am currently a final year student at LSR pursuing economics honours. I am only looking at Harvard right now because its one of d only top business schools which admits some final year undergrad students in their MBA program. I personally do not think that I am ready for pursuing MBA right after undergrad but I am applying right now with the intention of getting a deferred admission. The deferred admission will allow me to gain some experience in the financial sector before MBA and access to career services of HBS.

My profile is as follows:

1) GMAT - 760
2) Undergrad - 71%(1st 2 yrs)
3) 12th - 93
4) 10th - 89
5) Excellent ECA
6) 5 week internship at CNBC
7) NCFM & AMFI qualified

Another point I am apprehensive about is that I do not have any international exposure or the kind of opportunities available to undergrads in other countries. Please let me know if you have any opinion regarding the same.

[ccmba]

Originally Posted by Shreya Dalvi

Hi Umang,

I am currently a final year student at LSR pursuing economics honours. I am only looking at Harvard right now because its one of d only top business schools which admits some final year undergrad students in their MBA program. I personally do not think that I am ready for pursuing MBA right after undergrad but I am applying right now with the intention of getting a deferred admission. The deferred admission will allow me to gain some experience in the financial sector before MBA and access to career services of HBS.

My profile is as follows:

1) GMAT - 760
2) Undergrad - 71%(1st 2 yrs)
3) 12th - 93
4) 10th - 89
5) Excellent ECA
6) 5 week internship at CNBC
7) NCFM & AMFI qualified

Another point I am apprehensive about is that I do not have any international exposure or the kind of opportunities available to undergrads in other countries. Please let me know if you have any opinion regarding the same.

Hi Shreya,

Your profile looks great and your GMAT score is especially impressive. You're right in saying that HBS admits a decent number of students directly from college. However, many of them now are through the 2+2 program (2+2 Overview - MBA - Harvard Business School) which grants admission, and allows students to gain work experience for two years before starting their MBA. There's also the Silver Scholar's Program at Yale that admits student directly after an undergraduate degree that you could consider (Yale School of Management - College Seniors)

This being said, if you prove to the admissions committee that you're deserving of being admitted now, they will accept you. The key for you will be to show maturity, a clear career vision, and the ability to thrive in an academically intensive environment. As for your other apprehension about international exposure, you shouldn't worry about that too much at all. One of the reasons why they value you as an applicant is because you bring a unique perspective to campus as an Indian.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Umang

[ccmba]

I'm also addressing queries from my previous thread here:

Silent Cacophony:

It really depends with undergrad grades, if you have a lot of work ex and have been out of college for a while, then it carries less weight than it would for a recent graduate. Furthermore, as international students, since they might disparities between universities in India, a strong GMAT score can compensate (at least, in part) for weak academics.

In terms of brandnames from previous institutions, I don't think that's a problem. For instance I know a lot of people at top business schools in the US from what people would consider lowly ranked state universities. The key for you would be for your essays to demonstrate how you excelled wherever you went.

[Shreya Dalvi]

Originally Posted by ccmba

Hi Shreya,

Your profile looks great and your GMAT score is especially impressive. You're right in saying that HBS admits a decent number of students directly from college. However, many of them now are through the 2+2 program (2+2 Overview - MBA - Harvard Business School) which grants admission, and allows students to gain work experience for two years before starting their MBA. There's also the Silver Scholar's Program at Yale that admits student directly after an undergraduate degree that you could consider (Yale School of Management - College Seniors)

This being said, if you prove to the admissions committee that you're deserving of being admitted now, they will accept you. The key for you will be to show maturity, a clear career vision, and the ability to thrive in an academically intensive environment. As for your other apprehension about international exposure, you shouldn't worry about that too much at all. One of the reasons why they value you as an applicant is because you bring a unique perspective to campus as an Indian.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Umang

Thanks for the quick reply. I am not eligible for the 2+2 since I am already in final year(senior). Although I am pretty clear about my vision and also ability to perform well in an intensive academic environment, I am not too sure about how to convince the adcom that I am a mature(professional & personal) applicant. I have held positions in college and school & was associated with Google for a year as campus ambassador plus my internship but will this be relevant?

[ccmba]

Shreya,

Positions of leadership are a great way to show your 'maturity', so do stress on experiences you have had in that capacity. Your google internship is great if you can talk about the sort of responsibilities you had and how you handled them. Furthermore, if your recommenders can talk about how you're comfortable with authority, responsibility etc. you should be in good shape.

hope this helps.

[aliz_khanz]

Hy ccmba .... thanks for helping us out . I want you to please analyze my profile and tell me if i am suitable to apply to HBS.

X . 79.8%
XII .65%
Bachelors . 58%
GMAT - 720
GRE - 1440
IELTS 7.0
Work Experience. 2 Yrs As A Quality Control Manager At One of Leading COmpanies. At 19, Started my own business and to date its still going on . I had to join the company as QCM because of family terms but even during that time I was still onto my business. Its Been Quite Successful. I Know 6 Languages.

What do you think ?

[ccmba]

Originally Posted by aliz_khanz

Hy ccmba .... thanks for helping us out . I want you to please analyze my profile and tell me if i am suitable to apply to HBS.

X . 79.8%
XII .65%
Bachelors . 58%
GMAT - 720
GRE - 1440
IELTS 7.0
Work Experience. 2 Yrs As A Quality Control Manager At One of Leading COmpanies. At 19, Started my own business and to date its still going on . I had to join the company as QCM because of family terms but even during that time I was still onto my business. Its Been Quite Successful. I Know 6 Languages.

What do you think ?

Hi Aliz_khanz,

From the limited information you've shared, you seem to have an interesting profile. Though it is isn't a top priority for admission, your academics seem a bit weak in school (this really shouldn't matter) and college. The thing is that with only two years of work ex, your acads and college experience will carry significant weight. That being said, your GMAT score is about where the median is, and with strong essays convincing them you're right for Harvard, there's no reason not to give it a shot.

If you're applying this year itself, my advice would be to target a good mix of b-schools - you can aim for Harvard but also ensure you apply to other slightly less competitive, yet fantastic, schools such as Tepper, Darden, UCLA etc.

[aliz_khanz]

Thankyou So much ! I really appreciate your help. God Bless U !